Why Study History?
As a history major at Towson you will develop skills that will help prepare you for just about any career you can imagine.
Researching historical impacts of urban growth on different social groups
Marcio Siwi鈥檚 interest in urban history was sparked by his experience living in some of the world鈥檚 largest cities, including New York and his native city of S茫o Paulo, Brazil.
The Historical Impact of Urban Development
Assistant professor Marcio Siwi was particularly taken by the deep disparities he witnessed first-hand; sleek modernist skyscrapers towered over rundown residences. After joining 91影视破解版 in 2019 as an assistant professor in the Department of History, Siwi began teaching courses focused on Latin America and urban studies. 鈥淚 look at cities as sites of opportunity and creativity, but also as sites of tension and contestation, where diverse groups with competing commitments and agendas struggle for a sense of belonging.鈥�
鈥淰ery little in cities happens 鈥榡ust because,鈥欌�� he adds. 鈥淎 street, building, or neighborhood is designed for a particular reason, and students come to understand how urban planning affects us all.鈥� Siwi engages students with a curated selection of letters, newspapers and novels corresponding to course content. For more recent history, audio visuals, including podcasts, movies, and documentaries, are included.
鈥� Very little in cities happens 鈥榡ust because.鈥� A street, building, or neighborhood is designed for a particular reason, and students come to understand how urban planning affects us all. 鈥�
Researching Modern City Life
Siwi鈥檚 research complements his courses in Latin American History and Metropolitan Studies, in which he explores efforts to transform S茫o Paulo into a global city after World War II. 鈥淐ities compete with one another for capital, attention, tourism and attracting international corporations,鈥� describes Siwi.
Leaders of S茫o Paulo partnered with counterparts in New York to guide development of its art museums, architecture and urban plans. His research examines the consequences that emerge when elite visions of the city and urban life clash with those of the urban working poor.
鈥� My students begin to understand cities in a more nuanced way and engage in more critical thinking about urban development. 鈥�
Since joining 91影视破解版, Siwi鈥檚 work has been recognized with a project development grant from the ; a summer research stipend from 91影视破解版鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts; a grant from the ; and he was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the (GUHP).
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